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Friday, August 5, 2016

One of my pet peeves is when someone reduces an ancestor to nothing more than a list of vital statistics. Even worse, “genealogists” who are nothing more than name collectors. Every one of your ancestors was a real person, had a real family and lived in a real community. They had friends and maybe even some enemies. They probably attended the local church. He or she had a personality, opinions, likes and dislikes. Their life was just important to them as your life is to you. Slow down! It isn’t a competition to see who can collect the most ancestors or who can get their pedigree back to Charlemagne. Take the time to get to know your ancestors.

Sharon DeBartolo Carmack has written a couple of books on how to put your ancestor in context and then write about it. What’s the point of doing research if you don’t write up what you find for others to read.

Right now I am working on a project where I am telling the story of a family for three generations and I have these two books by my side.

John Colletta is one of those genealogists that strives to tell the story of an ancestor. I was privileged to hear him lecture at IGHR a couple of years ago. He is very enthusiastic and animated when teaching researchers how to make an ancestor come to life. John really loves to tell a story. You can see a list of John’s publications HERE and his lectures HERE.

Wednesday, August 3, 2016

My favorite feature in Evernote is being able to forward emails from your e-mail client to Evernote. Not only can you send them directly to Evernote but you can send the note to a specific notebook and you can tag the note all at the same time. But there is more. You can change the subject line to whatever you want which will become the title of your note, you can trim the email of unwanted text, and you can add notes to yourself at the top of the email to remind you why you are saving the email. You can click the image to make it larger.

Certified Genealogist is a registered trademark and the designation CG is a service mark of the Board for Certification of Genealogists®, used under license by Board certificants who meet competency standards.

Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God: (Ephesians 6:10-17)